The Fate of the Phoenix by Sondra Marshak

Author:Sondra Marshak [Marshak, Sondra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780553271911
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 1979-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XV

THE COMMANDER punched a printout of the stat-gram.

After a long moment’s thought she handed it to James. It was very simple:

MY FLEET PROCEEDING TO ACCEPT YOUR SURRENDER TO STAND TRIAL FOR TREASON. YOU WILL SURRENDER YOUR TRIBUTE HOSTAGE AND ATTENDANT KINSMAN.

It was signed by the Commander-in-Chief.

James looked up at the Commander. “Can he require you to put your own neck in the noose?”

“Or fire on my ships,” the Commander said. “But it is not merely my neck—or my head—which the Commander-in-Chief is hunting. The demand to surrender personal tribute-hostage is within law and within his discretion, but custom and honor would normally forbid it until after conviction. He is declaring that my guilt is self-evident, and that you are a prize for which he will stake his honor. He knows you are a key to war or peace. I have only one recourse now: to leave you with a kinsman who will protect you even if I lose.”

“You know I don’t want—”

The Commander felt her eyes go hard. “What you want has become immaterial,” she said flatly, “This makes it impossible for me to keep you with me. Even if I stand any chance of beating the charge, I will not surrender you. If I would—the moment I handed you over, you would be unmasked, literally and figuratively. As a Human. Perhaps even as a Kirk. The Commander-in-Chief has been with Jim too recently.”

James’ eyes went hard, too. “I can’t let you go alone—to your death. If you do not surrender me, they will certainly take that as evidence of treason. You can’t go. It is death. Run for the border again. There are other ways to fight.”

The Commander stood straight. “Not for me, James. This is my world. And my fight. I have enemies, but I have also support. You would not run from a charge against you by your service or your government. Nor will I.” She tore the fax printout in two. “However, I have not seen this just yet. I told Spock I would bring you to a place of safety. We are orbiting Themas. The Proconsul here is my kinsman and influences several worlds. I will confirm him in my cause. He will keep you for me by kinsman’s right if a fleet comes after you, Which it will.”

“No—” James began.

“Prepare to beam down,” she said and turned to leave.

At the door she turned back. “If it will help you to know it—you must stay not only to keep yourself safe but to keep Trevanian for me. As long as he is safe in my kinsman’s trust, the Doyen will rally her support to me. If he is lost, she will destroy me,-and go to war. Come.”

“Di’on—” he said. But he followed her.

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